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PROGRAM OVERVIEW

OPTIONS FOR SUCCESS PROGRAM OVERVIEW

The Options for Success Program provides Elementary, Middle and High School students with an alternative education opportunity in lieu of potential suspension/expulsion. While students are assigned to Options for Success they receive high, quality lessons daily using a blended instructional model that includes assessment based interventions and enrichment. This instruction is provided by a team of 7 Highly Qualified Teachers with a Support Team encompassing 1 Community Liaison, 1 Guidance Counselor, 3 Instructional Assistants, 1 Secretary and a Supervisor.

This year the Department of Accountability is excited to again offer students and parents of Columbus City Schools, expanded opportunities for students to learn through the efforts of our alternative education programs. These innovative programs are a result of a task force which involved business leaders, city officials, higher education partners, teachers, counselors and school administration. Dr. Danielle E. Bomar, our Supervisor of Alternative Education, will be continuing her work with The THRIVING Options for Success Program this fall. OPTIONS FOR SUCCESS is a personalized learning opportunity for students that will take the place of the former I-PASS program. The mission for the OPTIONS FOR SUCCESS Program is to provide an individualized academic experience in conjunction with a positive working behavioral plan to assure the realization of success for all students. The OPTIONS FOR SUCCESS Program is a vital avenue for our students whom thrive in non-traditional educational environments. We, in the Department of Accountability, are looking forward to another positive and productive school year with our students!

Success Stories

The OPTIONS FOR SUCCESS Program is made available to students who would otherwise be subject to immediate expulsion from the Columbus City Schools. Involvement in OPTIONS FOR SUCCESS can defer or eliminate the possibility of expulsion based upon cooperation and involvement by parent and student. Growth of the program over the past two years has also afforded students grades K-8 (with the exception of select student in grades 9-12) the opportunity to participate in Options for Success in lieu of suspension. This new development permitted 251 students the opportunity to participate in Options for Success verses being subject to immediate suspension from school.

OPTIONS FOR SUCCESS is located at Linmoor Education Center, 2001 Hamilton Ave., Columbus, OH 43211, 614-365-5842. An enrollment appointment must be made within two (2) school days after the hearing by the parent/guardian. Families are provided specific enrollment information at the time of the students’ hearing. It is with this understanding that students and parents sign the OPTIONS FOR SUCCESS contract (at the expulsion hearing), pledging their cooperation and responsibility to follow the expectations and procedures of the OPTIONS FOR SUCCESS program to ensure a successful completion of an assignment.

An enrollment assessment (to be completed by parent and student), will determine the student’s instructional program and supplemental activities in consultation of the trained staff.

For the 2015-16 School Year, 206 students successfully completed the Options for Success Program and during the 2016-17 School year, 217 students successfully completing the Options for Success Program.

Student's Personal Experiences

"I think the O4S program is good for students who need it. The classes at O4S are just like at my regular school. Although the classes here are easier they are more fun than at my regular school. Even though I didn't want to be here, I have met some more people. It was a good experience being in the O4S program."

"Options for Success is a good place for people to get a second chance and get the grades they need. The O4S staff is really nice and very helpful, and they are doing a good job. The whole time I was here was good and helpful. I think there should be more places like this program."

"My time here at Options for Success gave me time to reflect on a lot of things. I would not consider my time here "fun", but I would consider it insightful. The program gave me the opportunity to maintain my grades, and I feel like I've made a lot of friends."

"The teachers here are great! They give the attention needed to each student, answer all of our questions, and help as much as they can. They set up fun activities for us to do called Cooperative Learning. They also have a class called Get Real that's all about helping the kids change their way of thinking and reacting, and to help us from getting in more trouble."

Options for Success Academic Components:

A skilled-based instructional approach for credit in accordance with the Columbus City Schools curriculum guides. Instruction is provided in the core curriculum courses of Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies and/or Special Education in addition to VCAP offerings. Tutorial and remedial learning activities are conducted when appropriate.
Community and social service agency involvement may be required to meet specific social and adjustment needs.
Activities are designed to improve the basic academic skills, personal self-confidence, individual conduct and decision-making utilizing the districts Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) program. PBIS is a proactive approach to establishing the behavioral supports and social culture and needed for all students in a school to achieve social, emotional and academic success.

OPTIONS FOR SUCCESS is a voluntary program that provides parents and their son/daughter an educational option in lieu of a recommended expulsion. The program is very structured with student’s conduct being closely monitored and firm expectations of parents/students as stated in the agreement of the OPTIONS FOR SUCCESS contract in conjunction with the Columbus City Schools’ Guide to Student Success. The program affords elementary, middle and high school students opportunities to receive academic and attendance credit as well as improved conflict resolution skills.

Learning outcomes that prepare students for the American Institute for Research (AIR) test is a primary focus.